Sec. 29-143i. (Formerly Sec. 21a-195a). Connecticut Boxing Commission. (a)
There is established the Connecticut Boxing Commission which shall be within the
Department of Public Safety. The commission shall consist of nine members, three to
be appointed by the Governor, one to be appointed by the speaker of the House of
Representatives, one to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one
to be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one to be appointed by the minority leader
of the House of Representatives and one to be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate. The initial appointments to the commission shall be made not later than November 1, 1998. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of section 4-9a, the terms
of each member of the commission shall be coterminous with the term of the appointing
authority or until a successor is chosen, whichever is later. The appointing authority
shall fill any vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term. Members of the commission
shall receive no compensation for their services. The commission shall hold at least one
meeting each quarter.

(b) The commission shall make recommendations to the Governor, the Commissioner of Public Safety and the General Assembly, upon the request thereof or at such
time or times as the commission may determine, to encourage, develop and promote
the sport of boxing in this state. Such recommendations shall include, but not be limited
to: (1) Identifying any legal or administrative impediments to the development of the
sport of boxing in this state; (2) identifying ways to improve state and local services
designed to support and promote boxing; (3) identifying ways of developing young
boxers through amateur boxing clubs and other programs; (4) developing strategies to
assist promoters of small-scale professional boxing events and to aid in the development
of a market for large-scale professional boxing events in this state; and (5) developing
ways to protect the health and safety of participants in boxing.

(b) The commissioner shall have sole control of and jurisdiction over all amateur
and professional boxing and sparring matches held, conducted or given within the state
by any person or persons, club, corporation or association, except amateur boxing and
sparring matches held under the supervision of any school, college or university having
an academic course of study or of the recognized athletic association connected with
such school, college or university or amateur boxing and sparring matches held under
the auspices of any amateur athletic association that has been determined by the commissioner to be capable of ensuring the health and safety of the participants; provided the
commissioner may at any time assume jurisdiction over any amateur boxing or sparring
match if the commissioner determines that the health and safety of the participants is
not being sufficiently safeguarded. The commissioner may appoint inspectors who shall,
on the order of the commissioner, represent the commissioner at all boxing matches.
The commissioner may appoint a secretary who shall prepare for service such notices
and papers as may be required and perform such other duties as the commissioner directs.

(c) The commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representative may cause
a full investigation to be made of the location of, and paraphernalia and equipment to
be used in any boxing or sparring match and all other matters and shall determine whether
or not such match will be reasonably safe for the participants and for public attendance
and may make reasonable orders concerning alterations or betterments to the equipment
and paraphernalia, and concerning the character and arrangement of the seating, means
of egress, lighting, firefighting appliances, fire and police protection and such other
provisions as shall make the match reasonably safe against both fire and casualty
hazards.

(d) When any serious physical injury, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 53a-3, or death occurs in connection with a boxing or sparring match, the owner of the
location of the match shall, not later than four hours after such occurrence, report the
injury or death to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Not later than four
hours after receipt of such report, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee
shall cause an investigation of the occurrence to determine the cause of such serious
physical injury or death. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may enter
into any place or upon any premises so registered or licensed in furtherance of such
investigation and inspection.

(e) The commissioner, in consultation with the Connecticut Boxing Commission,
shall adopt such regulations in accordance with chapter 54 as the commissioner deems
necessary and desirable for the conduct, supervision and safety of boxing matches,
including the licensing of the sponsors and the participants of such boxing matches, and
for the development and promotion of the sport of boxing in this state, including, but
not limited to, regulations to improve the competitiveness of the sport of boxing in this
state relative to other states. Such regulations shall require fees for the issuance of licenses to such sponsors and participants as follows: (1) For referees, a fee of not less
than one hundred twenty-six dollars; (2) for matchmakers and assistant matchmakers,
a fee of not less than one hundred twenty-six dollars; (3) for timekeepers, a fee of not
less than twenty-six dollars; (4) for professional boxers, a fee of not less than twenty-six dollars; (5) for amateur boxers, a fee of not less than fifteen dollars; (6) for managers,
a fee of not less than one hundred twenty-six dollars; (7) for trainers, a fee of not less
than twenty-six dollars; (8) for seconds, a fee of not less than twenty-six dollars; (9) for
announcers, a fee of not less than twenty-six dollars; and (10) for promoters, a fee of
not less than three hundred fifteen dollars.

(f) No organization, gymnasium or independent club shall host a sparring match
unless such organization, gymnasium or independent club registers with the Department
of Public Safety in accordance with this subsection. The commissioner shall register any
organization, gymnasium or independent club that the commissioner deems qualified to
host such matches. Application for such registration shall be made on forms provided
by the department and accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars. For the purpose
of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner or an authorized representative may inspect the facility of any such organization, gymnasium or independent
club. The Attorney General, at the request of the Commissioner of Public Safety, may
apply in the name of the state of Connecticut to the Superior Court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining any organization, gymnasium or independent club from
operating in violation of any provision of this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant
to this subsection. The commissioner, in consultation with the Connecticut Boxing Commission, shall adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as the commissioner deems necessary for the conduct, supervision and safety of sparring matches.

(g) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the commissioner, may enter into
a contract with any person for the services of such person acting as an inspector appointed
in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Sec. 29-143k. (Formerly Sec. 21a-197). Amateur boxing matches regulated.
As used in this section and sections 29-143j, 53-200 and 53-201 "amateur boxing match"
means a boxing match which is no longer than five three-minute rounds in which no
contestant has received or is to receive, directly or indirectly, any money, reward or
compensation either from the expenses of any amateur boxing program or the expenses
of training or for taking part in such program or training. No person shall appear as a
contestant in an amateur boxing match unless such person wears protective headgear
and boxing gloves weighing not less than twelve ounces, and has not, within twenty-four hours of such match, appeared as a contestant in any other amateur boxing match.
No person shall appear as a contestant in an amateur boxing match if such person has
received any compensation or reward in any form for displaying, exercising, or rendering
services of any kind to any athletic organization, or to any person or persons, as trainer,
coach or instructor, or if such person may have been employed in any professional
capacity by reason of such person's athletic skill or knowledge. For the purpose of this
section, a prize such as a medal, trophy, watch, ring or other jewelry, or articles of
wearing apparel may be awarded to any contestant and shall not be considered money,
reward or compensation. Any contestant may be reimbursed with money for such reasonable expenses as may be incurred by such contestant in traveling to and from such
amateur boxing match, subject to the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner
shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the age of the participants in amateur boxing matches.

Sec. 29-143l. (Formerly Sec. 21a-198). Issuance of license. Bond. Revocation
of license. (a) The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, issue a license
to conduct, hold or give any boxing match to any person, persons, club, corporation or
association. Before any such license is granted, the applicant shall execute and file with
the commissioner a bond in such amount and form and with such surety as is determined
by the commissioner, which bond shall be conditioned for the payment of the tax imposed by section 29-143m. Upon the filing and approval of such bond, the commissioner
shall issue to such applicant a certificate of such filing and approval. No license shall
be issued under this section until such bond is filed.

(b) The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, revoke any license
to conduct, hold or give any boxing match issued under this section for cause as provided
in this chapter or in any regulation adopted under this chapter in accordance with chapter 54.

Sec. 29-143m. (Formerly Sec. 21a-199). Reports of exhibitions and matches.
Tax. Any person or combination of persons who, and any club, corporation or association which, holds or promotes any boxing match or wrestling exhibition or exercises
any of the privileges conferred by this chapter or the regulations adopted under this
chapter shall, within twenty-four hours after the determination of each boxing match
or wrestling exhibition: (1) Furnish to the commissioner a written report verified by
such person or combination of persons or by the treasurer and secretary of such club,
corporation or association, which report shall include a statement of the number of
tickets sold for such match or exhibition, the amount of gross receipts for such match
or exhibition and such other information as the commissioner prescribes; and (2) pay
to the commissioner a tax of five per cent of the total receipts after federal taxes have
been deducted from the paid admissions to such boxing match or wrestling exhibition,
which tax shall be paid into the State Treasury.

Sec. 29-143n. (Formerly Sec. 21a-200). Examination as to receipts and expenditures. If any person or combination of persons, club, corporation or association fails
to make a report of any contest as required by section 29-143m within the time prescribed
by section 29-143m, or if any such report fails to include sufficient information, the
commissioner may examine, or cause to be examined, the books and records of any
such person or combination of persons, club, corporation or association and subpoena
and examine under oath such person or officers of such club, corporation or association
and other persons for the purpose of determining the total amount of such gross receipts
and the amount of tax due pursuant to the provisions of section 29-143m, which tax he
may thereupon fix and determine. In case of default in the payment of any tax ascertained
by the commissioner to be due and the expenses incurred in making such examination,
for a period of twenty days after notice to such delinquent person or combination of
persons, club, corporation or association, such delinquent shall forfeit the license issued
under section 29-143l and shall be disqualified from receiving any new license under
section 29-143l. Such delinquent shall also forfeit to the state the sum of five hundred
dollars.

Sec. 29-143o. (Formerly Sec. 21a-201). Penalty for sale of more than seating
capacity. Any person who, and the officers of any club, corporation or association
which, sells or causes to be sold any ticket of admission for any boxing match or wrestling
exhibition in excess of the seating capacity of the room, hall, place, building or structure
used for such boxing match or wrestling exhibition, shall, for the first offense, be fined
not more than two hundred dollars, which shall be paid to the state. For a subsequent
offense, the club, corporation, association or person or persons shall forfeit its, his or
their license issued under section 29-143l, shall be disqualified from receiving any new
license issued under section 29-143l and shall forfeit to the state the sum of five hundred
dollars. The officers of any such club, corporation or association, for such subsequent
offense, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars.

Sec. 29-143p. (Formerly Sec. 21a-202). Price of admission to be published. The
price of admission and of the seats to any boxing match conducted under the provisions
of this chapter shall be published in a newspaper published and circulated in the town,
city or borough where such boxing match is to be conducted, if any newspaper is published in such town, city or borough, but, if no newspaper is published in such town,
city or borough, such publication shall be made in a newspaper having a substantial
circulation in such town, city or borough. Any such publication shall be made in at least
three separate editions of such paper and in a space not less than two inches by three
inches in size.

Sec. 29-143q. (Formerly Sec. 21a-203). Duration of boxing matches. Approved
referee required. No boxing match shall consist of more than twelve rounds and each
round shall be no longer than three minutes nor less than two minutes in duration. In
all matches, if a contestant who has been knocked down arises before the count of ten
seconds, the referee shall complete a count of eight seconds and assure himself that the
contestant is fit to continue. The referee may, in the referee's discretion, order a standing
knockdown and a mandatory eight count if a contestant is taking a severe beating and
is apparently defenseless but is not knocked down. The standing knockdown shall be
treated in all respects, including scoring, as a knockdown. No boxing match shall be
conducted unless a referee approved by the commissioner is in attendance and directs
and controls the boxing match.

History: P.A. 80-137 replaced requirement that rounds be three minutes with provision that they be at least two but not
more than three minutes in length; Sec. 19-333a transferred to Sec. 21a-203 in 1983; P.A. 83-124 added provisions for
mandatory eight count and standing knockdown; P.A. 84-344 required that boxing and wrestling exhibitions be directed
by a referee approved by the commissioner, effective March 1, 1985; P.A. 85-157 substituted "commissioner of consumer
protection" for "commissioner", to reflect abolition of state boxing commission; P.A. 85-293 removed references to wrestling bouts; P.A. 98-117 made technical changes; P.A. 99-194 made gender neutral changes, replaced references to boxing
exhibition with references to boxing match and shortened permissible duration of match from fifteen to twelve rounds;
Sec. 21a-203 transferred to Sec. 29-143q in 2007.

Sec. 29-143r. (Formerly Sec. 21a-203a). Selection and licensing of referees.
The commissioner shall select the referees for any boxing exhibition conducted, held
or given within this state, except amateur boxing exhibitions held under the supervision
of any school, college or university having an academic course of study or of the recognized athletic association connected with such school, college or university or amateur
boxing exhibitions held under the auspices of any amateur athletic association that has
been determined by the commissioner to be capable of ensuring the health and safety
of the participants. All such referees shall be licensed by the commissioner under this
chapter and the regulations adopted by the commissioner under this chapter, in accordance with chapter 54.

Sec. 29-143t. (Formerly Sec. 21a-205). Boxers to be examined by physician.
Costs. (a) No person shall engage in any boxing match as a boxer until such person has
been examined and found to be physically fit by a competent physician approved by
the commissioner, licensed to practice under the laws of this state and in practice in this
state for at least two years. Such physician shall be appointed by the commissioner and
shall be in attendance throughout the boxing match for which such examination was
made. Such physician shall certify, in writing, that the contestant is physically fit to
engage in such boxing match. Any fee for such physician, as determined by the commissioner, shall be paid by the person or club, corporation or association conducting such
boxing match.

(b) The cost of any physical examination required by this chapter or regulations
adopted under this chapter, other than an examination required by subsection (a) of this
section, may be assessed by the commissioner on any boxer examined by a physician
appointed by the commissioner or on the person, club, corporation or association conducting the next boxing match in which the contestant is scheduled to compete.

History: 1959 act substituted commissioner of consumer protection for athletic commissioner, that office having been
abolished; 1965 act deleted boxing from purview of section; 1972 act reinstated boxing in purview of section; P.A. 81-171 added Subsec. (b) allowing commissioner to assess costs of a physical examination required by this chapter but not
under Subsec. (a) on the athlete or on the person conducting the next match; Sec. 19-335 transferred to Sec. 21a-205 in
1983; P.A. 84-344 deleted reference to the commissioner of consumer protection and required that physicians who examine
boxers and wrestlers be approved by the boxing commissioner, effective March 1, 1985; P.A. 85-157 substituted "commissioner of consumer protection" for "commissioner", to reflect abolition of state boxing commissioner and made technical
changes; P.A. 85-293 removed references to wrestling bouts and, in conjunction with P.A. 85-613, restored language
inadvertently deleted through machine error; P.A. 98-117 made technical changes; P.A. 99-194 made technical and gender
neutral changes and replaced references to boxing exhibition with references to boxing match; Sec. 21a-205 transferred
to Sec. 29-143t in 2007; P.A. 07-217 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 12, 2007.

Sec. 29-143u. (Formerly Sec. 21a-206). Special privileges or discrimination.
Any person acting as principal, manager, second, promoter or matchmaker receiving
or accepting, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing from any boxer
for any special privilege or for discriminating in any manner relating to any boxing
match shall be subject to the penalty prescribed in section 29-143z.

Sec. 29-143v. (Formerly Sec. 21a-207). Age limitation for boxing and wrestling. No person under eighteen years of age shall engage in any professional boxing
match or wrestling exhibition and no person under sixteen years of age shall engage in
any amateur boxing match or amateur wrestling exhibition except a match or exhibition
held under the supervision of a school, college or university having an academic course
of study or the athletic association connected with such school, college or university or
held under the auspices of any amateur athletic association that has been determined by
the commissioner, under section 29-143j, to be capable of ensuring the health and safety
of the participants.

History: 1965 act deleted boxing from purview of section; 1972 act reinstated boxing exhibitions in purview of section;
P.A. 82-53 allowed a person under 16 years of age to compete in an amateur event held under the auspices of an amateur
athletic association determined to be capable of ensuring participants' health and safety; Sec. 19-337 transferred to Sec.
21a-207 in 1983; P.A. 99-194 made a technical change, replaced references to boxing exhibition with references to boxing
match and replaced references to wrestling bout with references to wrestling exhibition; Sec. 21a-207 transferred to Sec.
29-143v in 2007.

Sec. 29-143z. (Formerly Sec. 21a-211). Penalty. Any person violating any of the
provisions of this chapter, for which a penalty is not expressly prescribed, or any of the
regulations adopted under the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined not more than
two hundred dollars.